WHAT ARE NONWOVENS?

Nonwovens are defined as sheet or web structures bonded together by entangling staple fibers or filaments mechanically, thermally or chemically. The fibers or filaments may be of natural or man-made origin. They are flat and porous sheets that are made directly from separate fibers or molten polymers. Nonwovens are not made by weaving or knitting and do not require the fibers to be converted to yarn.

Nonwovens are engineered fabrics which may have a single use or a durable life. They provide various special qualities such as absorbency, repellency of liquids, softness, strength, resilience, stretchiness, flame retardancy, washability, filtering, bacterial barrier and sterility. These properties are often combined to make tailor made fabrics suitable for specific applications, while achieving a good balance between product shelf life and cost. They can imitate the appearance, strength and texture of a woven fabric and can be as bulky as the thickest paddings.

The combination with other materials provides a wide spectrum of products with diverse properties. These products can be used alone or as components of health care, apparel, furnishing, industrial and consumer goods.

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HIGH PERFORMANCE FOR HIGH PERFORMERS

Fiber manufacturers around the world appreciate the reliability of our spin finishes which are used for a broad range of applications, including highly specialized ones and those where customer-specific solutions are required.

A specialized product range is available for a wide range of applications:

• Hygiene
• Medical
• Geotextile
• Automotive
• Industrial wipes

HYGIENE PRODUCTS

Nonwovens are widely used in personal care products such as absorbent hygiene products or wipes. The advantages of the use of nonwovens are that they provide strength and softness to the hygiene products. They make an important contribution to the performance of modern absorbent products (baby diapers, feminine hygiene and incontinence products). They ensure perfect liquid management inside the diapers whilst maintaining leakage prevention.To achieve the specific properties of the nonwoven, specific treatment is required.

We provides a wide product range for these kinds of treatments. The products comply with CFR 21 (FDA) and EU 10/2011. The products are safety approved for these sensitive applications.

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Some examples of where nonwovens are used in baby diapers, feminine hygiene products and incontinence products:

• Top sheet or coverstock
• Acquisition/distribution layer
• Core wrap
• Back sheet
• Stretch ears

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Some examples of where nonwovens are used:

• Surgical: disposable caps, gowns, masks, scrub suits and shoe covers
• Drapes, wraps and packs
• Sponges, dressings and wipes
• Lab coats
• Isolation gowns
• Underpads
• Ostomy bag liners

MEDICAL PRODUCTS

In the medical field, nonwovens find a wide range of applications. They are the material of choice for many medical applications such as wound care, surgical and ostomy dressings. This is because of their special material properties such as absorbency, barrier against bacteria, softness, stretchiness and liquid repellancy.

Reasons for the continued growth of nonwovens in the field of medical application are protection, comfort and cost. Modern nonwovens have substituted traditional fabrics, including linens, as the medical industry looks for better barrier and aseptic materials.

Due to the fact that most nonwovens used outside of the body are disposable single-use products a sterilization or cleaning for re-use is not necessary. Disposable nonwovens are manufactured, sterilized,packaged, opened, used and then disposed of. Therefore there is less risk of contamination before and after use compared to a reusable product.

New nonwoven materials with improved finishes including liquid repellent, virus proof and ant-bacterial properties have also been developed for applications such as surgical masks, gowns and drapes, especially in view of the high demands of the new European Standards, EN 13795.

PRODUCTS FOR GEOTEXTILES

Nonwovens for geotextiles are used effectively in construction and building, they are used for separation, filtration, drainage, protection and reinforcement.

They can be rolled up and are light and easy to handle, despite their strength and toughness.Geotextiles can be treated with additives which enhances water repellency and resistance against biological degradation for soil reinforcement requiring durability. Another major area for geotextiles is for optimizing the productivity of crops, gardens and greenhouses. Their protective nature means that the need for pesticides is reduced and manual work is kept to a minimum.

For this application very light and flexible sheets are laid over seed beds, which creates a microclimate in which the heat and humidity are controlled. The plant growth is accelerated and they are protected from adverse weather conditions and vermin.

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Some examples of where nonwovens are used:

• Road and rail building
• Hydraulic works
• Soil stabilization and reinforcement
• Soil separation
• Drainage
• Landfill
• Filtration
• Sedimentation and erosion control
• Weed control
• Plant protection
• Landscape fabric

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AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

The use of nonwovens in the automotive industry has increased significantly in recent times. Nowadays more than 40 automotive components are made with nonwoven fabrics. This includes carpets, filters and other interior materials. The use of nonwoven materials together with tailor-made properties helps to reduce the weight of cars, enhance comfort and provide advanced insulation.

 

Nonwovens are easy to handle during assembly. They are tailor-made for their function and can be heat-formed, embossed, lined, coated and printed.

 

Some examples of where nonwovens are used:

 

• Acoustic control
• Insulation
• Carpets and flooring
• Seats
• Interior trim
• Soft top
• Sunshade
• Cabin air filters
• Engine
• Filtration

CUSTOMER SERVICE

We are aware that technical service is as important as providing high performing products. As a global company, Pulcra Chemicals operates service centers in thirteen countries to provide solutions for any problems our customers may have. Our specialists support customers to meet their needs regarding new products and system operations and work out practice-oriented solutions together with the laboratory team.

Our test methods:

• Dynamic Contact Angle
• Run-Off
• Coverstock Wetback
• Hydro Head
• Liquid Strike-Through Time
• Sinking Time
• Absorbency
• Oil Pick-up

PULCRA CHEMICALS

Pulcra Chemicals is a global company with outstanding engineering capabilities and unique processing knowledge. We look back on over 140 years of experience in the production of innovative specialty chemicals for the fiber, textile and leather industries. Our goal is the success of our customers, whom we support in the best possible way in product development, legal compliance and sustainability.

You can find more information here.

SUSTAINABILITY

Our success speaks for itself because we know what our target markets need. Working in very specialized fields, we focus on innovation, health, safety, sustainability and regulatory compliance of our products.

You can find more information here.

SOLUTIONS FOR THE TEXTILE AND FIBER INDUSTRY

In the fiber and textile market, we offer products and technical support along the entire production chain and for a wide range of end applications. With us, you will find tailor-made help when it comes to defining the final product properties and qualities of fibers, nonwovens, yarns, woven and knitted fabrics. Our product portfolio ranges from process auxiliaries for primary and secondary spinning to sizing, pretreatment, dyeing, printing and finishing of textiles.

You can find more information here.

SOLUTIONS FOR THE LEATHER INDUSTRY

We equip leather manufacturers with a complete range of products which ensures the sustainable and efficient processing of hides in accordance with the highest quality standards for leather goods. Our customers can expect technologically proven solutions which fully meet the specific and diverse set of requirements.

Here you will find our portfolio for leather.

PULCRA CHEMICALS WORLDWIDE

We are where our customers need us: This statement is not just a promise, but a lived corporate philosophy at PULCRA Chemicals. At 16 facilities and with numerous additional agents and distributors – spread around the globe – PULCRA also offers specific product solutions as well as technical on-site service. Specialists from the R&D departments and furthermore an experienced team of engineers, technicians, sales and marketing staff develop customized solutions for you.

We live diversity and networking: Our product developers are well connected and cooperate in many ways, for example with research institutes, universities, associations and startups around the world. Innovation is a process that never ends. That’s why we are always involved when it comes to further improving a product feature. We work on this in our development laboratories around the world. Our global production network enables us to respond flexibly to customer requirements.

Here you can find the contact details of our locations